Last-Lap Drama Sees Aldeguer Take Moto2 Victory at Phillip Island
Fermin Aldeguer wins the Australian Moto2 GP after a dramatic final-lap battle with Aron Canet as local hero takes maiden…
After a fierce batte with Fermin Aldeguer for the race win at Phillip Island, Aron Canet offered candid insights into his favorite style of racing, the physicality of Moto2, and the uphill battle he is facing to catch Ai Ogura in the title race.
“I’m going to kill him,” Canet joked after the race in Australia. “No, that’s racing – for me, motorbike racing is also a contact sport, that’s my opinion.”
Though he ultimately finished second, Canet was satisfied with his race at Phillip Island. “He overtook me, but I’m happy that I came second because I gave 100%. We had some contact but that’s racing.” he said.
A new instant classic is born in #Moto2 🔥
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 20, 2024
Aron Canet and Fermin Aldeguer put it all on the line on the last lap, delivering a five-star finale at Phillip Island 👏#AustralianGP 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/GkK3gsp4op
“I loved the hard style of Marco Simoncelli, Max Biaggi, and Valentino Rossi.” The Spaniard believes Moto2 should allow some contact, without penalizing riders too harshly: “I don’t want to touch other riders and have to take a long lap penalty for it.”
“I don’t agree with the race organisers, who said at the beginning of the season that you can’t overtake other riders on the last lap with contact at the limit – you would then lose your position.
“It’s good that they didn’t interpret it that way with Bastianini and Martin in Misano and also now.”
Reflecting on the Australian GP, Canet added, “It was a good race and a good show. For me, it was one of the top three Moto2 races of the last five years.”
“Why is that? Because of the contact, that’s why. I’m happy to be back on the podium in Australia. It’s a nice track for me.”
As for the championship fight, the Fantic rider was pragmatic about his chances of catching Ai Ogura. The Japanese currently holds a 65-point lead in the standings with just three rounds to go.
“It will be very difficult for Fermin and me to win the world championship because Ai has only had two crashes this year – he doesn’t normally make mistakes.”
“It’s difficult to score zero points three races in a row. After a bad season for me with six races without points and some injuries, I’m happy to be second in the overall standings.”
